Sun Glare Advisory Courtesy of Sac PD

The Sacramento Police Department would like to remind the public of the potentially hazardous conditions caused by drivers looking directly into the sunlight during the morning and evening commutes.
 
Many of the streets in Sacramento are laid out along an east-west and north-south grid. During this time of year, the sun rises directly out of the east which coincides with morning and/or evening commutes for many motorists. Glare is most significant to drivers while the sun is low, just above the horizon, in the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset.
                                
Motorists should always be prepared to slow down to a speed which is safe for the prevailing driving conditions. Two years ago, the City of Sacramento had multiple fatal and serious injury collisions where sun-glare was reported as a factor.

Here are 10 tips to reduce sun-glare collisions:
   
1)     Keep your windshield clean on the inside and outside.
2)     Ensure your windshield wipers are in good working order.
3)     Keep your washer fluid reservoir full in case you need to clean your windshield while driving.
4)     Wear polarized sunglasses.
5)     Keep your visor in good working order and clear of items that may restrict its use.
6)     Avoid using high gloss dashboard cleaners that leave a highly reflective shine.
7)     Maintain a space cushion between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you which allows for ample time to react.
8)     Anticipate that sometimes pedestrians don’t realize you can’t see them.
9)     Adjust your driving around those areas you know have sun-glare problems.
10)  Avoid using cleaners that may leave streaks that refract sunlight making it hard to see.
Pedestrians should be cautious when crossing east-west roadways during this time period and recognize when a motorists has the sun in their eyes.

Upcoming Art Show

Hello everyone. By now you all have either met Libby or know of her. She has been a long time VVA resident and continues to be an active member of our community. She also happens to be a mixed media and ceramic clay artist. In addition to being featured in this month's edition of N Magazine (due out next Monday 8/27 or Tuesday8/28), she also has an upcoming showing of her artwork.  The Capitol Artist Studio Tour 2012 will be featuring 4 artists at 2613 -- 14th Street, Sacramento, near the Tower Theater on Sept. 8th and 9th (10am - 5pm both days), for more info, please visit www.ccasac.org

August Meeting Summary

Hi everyone.

Thanks to those who attended last Wednesday's neighborhood meeting and special thanks to the Lopez family for hosting. The pool side atmosphere, as well as all the food and drink, made for an enjoyable evening with neighbors.

We had a couple guests in attendance, including Michel Huziar from Vice Mayor Ashby's office, as well as Ken Barnes, a candidate for Robla School District Board of Trustees.

Here's a brief summary of what we discussed:

Recap of Summer Activities in VVA.  Thank you to Libby Harmor for hosting and organizing the annual 4th of July parade, another great parade! Thanks to Alyssa and Bett Marie for organizing and hosting a neighborhood kid's meeting on July 13th, it was a great opportunity for the slew of parents and kids of the neighborhood to meet. The Police officer in attendance was also very generous with her time with the kids and the parents had a good time too! On August 7th, our very own Dennis Boyd hosted VVA's first annual National Night Out BBQ and Potluck. There were a lot of neighbors in attendance and we enjoyed a ton of food. We were also visited by representatives from the Police Department, as well as Vice Mayor Angelique Ashby and County Supervisor Phil Serna, who took time to visit with neighbors.

Eminent Domain.  We discussed the willingness of the City (and other surrounding jurisdictions) to examine using eminent domain for purposes of taking blighted properties owned by banks or investor groups.  While no jurisdiction in the state has yet done so, it is being examined by many as a way to minimize or turn around blighted and abandoned residential properties with absentee bank or investor group owners.

Robla Board Candidate. Ken Barnes took the opportunity to discuss his vision for Robla School District as well as the reasons for his candidacy.

Twin Rivers Sorento Road Update.  The City, County and Twin Rivers have been in the process of entering into a memorandum of understanding with regards to improvements to Sorento Road.  Unfortunately, the commitments made by TRUSD during the processing of the ENEC project in 2008-2009 are being revisited by the School District.  VVA representation has been present during those discussions advocating for the commitments of TRUSD to be kept, namely for the road repairs to be done as originally promised in the timeframes agreed upon.

Upcoming Events.  We currently have our fall neighborhood cleanup scheduled for Saturday, October 13. We'll meet as usual at the Angel Family residence at 5600 Sorento Road at 8:30 am and determine our plan of attack for cleaning up roadside trash. BBQ/Potluck to follow at 11am or so.

Our next neighborhood meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 19th at 630 at a location to be determined.

Thank you!

August Meeting

Hi everyone.  We'll be meeting this month on Wednesday, August 15th at 6:30pm.  This month's meeting will be at the Lopez family home at 5400 Sorento Road.

As a special treat, the Lopez's have graciously invited neighbors to their home and swimming pool for those wanting to cool off from the heat.  Parents are welcome to bring their children, but please keep an eye on them in and around the pool.

The Mike and Shiela will be serving hotdogs, chips, salsa, fruit and water.

We'll be catching up on what's going on in the neighborhood and in the City.

Thanks